BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, May 8(PIA) – This province’s dependence on the national government’s Internal Revenue Allotment(IRA) has been improved over the years with the emergence of robust local tax sources.

Reports said that in 2005, Nueva Vizcaya has been faring at 93 percent IRA dependence rate which dramatically improved at present by 72 or 73 percent, even lower from the 88 percent National IRA Dependency Average Rate(NIRADAR).
“Our province’s reduction of its IRA dependency rate simply means that we are improving our general capability as self-reliance by generating budget from our local sources,” said Rhoda Moreno, acting provincial treasurer .

She said the dramatic reduction of the province’s dependency on IRA was due to implementation, improvement and proper management of various economic enterprises in the province such as rentals from LGU-owned equipments and facilities, income from the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH) in Bambang town and Paraiso Tribu Biskayano in Diadi town.

Another factor on the reduction of IRA-dependency of the province, Moreno added was the collection of huge Real Property Taxes(RPT) from various business operators and owners based in the province.

She noted that in 2005, the Cost to Collect Ratio was P1.10 for P1.00 and decreased thereafter to only .034 centavos per P1.00 RPT collected.

“Our taxpayers are now encouraged to pay because of the many projects that are being put up for the benefit of the public,” Moreno said.

According to Moreno, there is a need to review the status of the proposed ordinance on sand, gravel and other quarry resources for the province which has overran by events and still pending at the provincial board.

“Once this will be approved, we will have a legal basis in collecting the proper taxes for our “Luyot”(Mineral ore) operators and businessmen. It was sad that its delay from the provincial board has failed us to collect appropriate taxes from “Luyot” businessmen in our province,” she said.

The Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) is a local government unit’s (LGU) share of revenues from thePhilippine national government. Provinces, independent cities, component cities, municipalities, andbarangays each get a separate allotment.